Texas Tech renames Reese Technology Center to National Security Complex

The Reese Technology Center — formerly Reese Air Force Base — is getting a new name from Texas Tech to realign it with its current use by the university.

In a news release Monday, the university — in partnership with the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority — announced it is renamaing the center to the Texas Tech University Reese National Security Complex.

"This initiative represents one of the most consequential steps forward in the history of Texas Tech University," said TTU President Lawrence Schovanec. "The Reese National Security Complex expands our research enterprise, but it also positions Texas Tech as a critical partner in addressing some of the most pressing national security challenges of our time."

The renaming also comes after the passage of House Bill 5092 during the 89th session of the Texas Legislature and aligns with Texas Tech's expanding research portfolio in national security and critical infrastructure — most notably the recent agreement between the univeristy and the FBI.

According to TTU, the RNSC will house significant assets and projects, including:

• Expanded federal agency and industry partnerships

• An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) test site

• A facility that will enable applied defense research

• Cyber-physical critical infrastructure experiments

"The RNSC enables us to confront the most urgent challenges facing our nation's critical infrastructure. We are creating a center in West Texas that addresses today's critical needs from energy and transportation to telecommunications and water, while anticipating potential threats," said Stephen Bayne , vice president for National Security at Texas Tech. "The work we do here will have a lasting impact while strengthening our nation's critical infrastructure."

Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Renaming of Reese Technology Center aligns with complex's new role